Page 29 - ELG2406 June Issue 490

FEATURE

competition, but teaching online can be very time too. In the New Year, people are eager Diversify your income
lonely. Connect with other teachers and to learn, after making their New Year’s Teaching live one-to-one lessons is very
coaches; they are your colleagues and support resolutions. unstable and unpredictable. Try to earn
network. It’s also a great way to share ideas additional income in other ways, by offering
and opportunities. Avoid the race to the bottom a different type of learning experience. For
During quiet times, it can be tempting to example, create a digital product, such as
Develop a niche lower your prices. Earning something is an e-book, or make a group programme.
You want to be busy and make money, so the better than nothing after all! You could also set up a subscription service,
more people you can teach the better, right? This strategy might work in the providing exclusive content.
When I first started online teaching, people short-term, but the problem in the long-term
asked me to teach them different things, and is that it will be more difficult to increase Create a conducive work environment
I thought why not? Of course I can teach your fees with those lower paying students. Set up a quiet, comfortable working space
business English, prepare you for the IELTS The time you spend preparing and delivering with a tidy, professional background for your
exam, job interviews, and so on. those classes might prevent you in busier online lessons.
I really enjoyed developing myself during times from having free slots for higher Also, it helps to be tech-savvy; it’s
those early days, but the cost was many late paying students. incredibly frustrating, and a loss of income,
nights and feeling very stressed. I spread When setting your lesson fees, factor if you can’t complete a lesson, due to a
myself too thinly, and didn’t have enough in preparation and admin time, plus other technical problem.
time to prepare myself completely for all those costs freelancers need to account for,
different types of lessons. such as holiday pay. And of course… enjoy yourself!
There’s a consensus that you should have Teaching online can be a very interesting,
a niche, and an ideal type of learner. It makes Build rapport rewarding experience, and a great way
lesson planning a lot easier. Plus, you’re You have a much closer working relationship to develop yourself professionally. Just be
more prepared for the typical problems your with learners in one-to-one lessons than in prepared to take the rough with the smooth!
learners encounter. group ones. Spend time at the start of a lesson
asking them how they are, show interest in Mary Costello is an ESL tutor
Seasonal fluctuations their lives, while maintaining professional for adults from the UK. She
Teaching English online to adults is seasonal. boundaries. has taught English in Spain,
Very few learners take lessons over summer. Don’t forget to smile! When you’re Colombia, the UK and online for
It depends on which part of the world your concentrating, this can be overlooked. Even the last eight years. You can find
students are from, but around Christmas if you’re nervous, the student is probably a lot out more about her on LinkedIn.
and the end of the year is typically a quiet more nervous than you!

Readers

Over 125 non-fiction levelled

readers for ages 3–11

Q Q

Power up non-fiction reading skills and knowledge
to help children become reading superheroes!

• Provide young English language learners with
exposure to authentic, real-world content
• Immerse students in language learning and develop subject
vocabulary as kids explore the exciting world of dinosaurs,
animals, natural wonders, and more
• Find the right titles for your students with titles mapped to the
CEFR and help build confidence with carefully levelled content
• Build contextual knowledge while progressing reading skills Q
and developing a love for reading

Q Discover more online!

Find out Follow the QR code on the back cover to find free Super
Reader resources, including comprehension quizzes to
more boost understanding and foster critical thinking skills.

editorial@elgazette.com 29